A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

Ten Things That You Should Absolutely Do Between Now And Next Week

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by Michelle Sproule | The main objective of this website is to scout out and promote the things that make Vancouver such a sweet place to be. We do this with an emphasis on the city’s independent spirit to foster a sense of connectedness within and between our communities, and to introduce our readers to the people who grow and cook our food, play the raddest tunes in our better venues, create our most interesting art, and design everything from what we wear to the spaces we inhabit. The Scout List is our carefully considered, first rate agenda of super awesome things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week, from our calendar to yours!

TRIP OUT | If you were looking for an excuse to hide out in a cool dark place and avoid the heat, The Cinematheque continues its Film Noir theme this week with two Psychedelic ’60s New Wave Neo-Noir films (yup, it’s a thing). From the theatre peeps: “These two harrowing, hallucinatory, exhilaratingly stylish 1960s thrillers, Seconds (1966) and Point Blank (1967), are both brain-twisting neo-noir nightmares set in a paranoid psychedelic California. Neither was a box-office success originally; each has since attained the status of cult classic and critics’ darling.” Mind expanding and cool.
Aug. 17, 20-22 | Various times | The Cinematheque (1131 Howe St.) | $11 | DETAILS

LASER FLOYD | Digging the idea of tripping out in a cool place? Why not hustle your way out to Burnaby Friday night for a laser show set to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon? According to event organizers, Roundhouse Productions, attendees can expect ”360° real-world, real-time Fulldome video, multiple RGB diode lasers, both classic analog and digital star projectors, and immersive full concert sound.” It’s even better if you read that in a monster truck announcer voice.
Fri, Aug. 19 | 8, 9:05 & 10:10 pm | BCIT Planetarium (3700 Willingson Ave) | DETAILS

ART | Hit Mount Pleasant this Saturday to take in over 35 new permanent murals debuting on the walls and buildings of the community. The murals have been taking shape for weeks, but Saturday is the big reveal and it comes with a party devoted to interactive art, live music and wide spread appreciation of the artistic process and how public art depicts and unites a community. Expect street closures along Main St. between 7th Ave. and 12th Ave. for live music, interactive art exhibits, community projects, markets and more.
Sat, Aug. 20 | 12pm to 7pm | Main St. between 7th & 12th | Free | DETAILS

PNE | So this is mid-August. It’s hot as heck, and summer feels like it’ll go on forever. Don’t be fooled. Fall will sneak in and before you know it, and then the long, wet winter.  This is the time to start making good on your summer to do list. Obviously,you’ll want to include a trip to the PNE, for what is summer if not rollercoaster rides, mini doughnuts and target practice on rubber ducks? Need more convincing? How about a concert series, an Alien Worlds & Androids exhibit; a craft beer festival, and a concert series that includes the likes of Sheepdogs, Hedley, Foreigner, and The Steve Miller Band?
Aug. 20 – Sept. 5 | 11 am-11 pm | Pacific National Exhibition | $17+ | DETAILS

LISTEN | Vancouver punk band SNFU play the Venue on Saturday night. It’ll be a little weird to step out after the show and into the very midst of the Saturday night Granville Shitshow, but it’s a small price to pay to see these legends.
Sat, Aug. 20 | 7pm | Venue (881 Granville St) | $16 | DETAILS

GARLIC FESTIVAL | This weekend is the 8th annual Garlic Fest out at the Terra Nova Sharing Farm in Richmond. Head out to learn about the health benefits and culinary uses of garlic, check out cooking demonstrations, and sample all manner of garlic related goodies (from garlic pizza and garlic bread to pickled garlic scapes and garlic ice cream – not even kidding). Bonus, this sharing farm is a fantastic place to wander; there’s lots of room for kids to run and climb and it’s close to the West Dyke Trail.
Sun, Aug. 21 | 10am-3pm | Sharing Farm, Terra Nova Park | Admission by donation | DETAILS

JOY | We’ve come to expect and immensely enjoy Strange Fellows Brewing’s periodic celebrations. They tend to revolve around the strange, but this month they take a light and easy turn with a focus simply on “Joy”. They are putting aside this Sunday afternoon to celebrate a few of the things that bring them joy: good music, company, food and beer! Make the most of the last days of summer and gather some sunny memories to carry you through the dark days of winter. Expect live music, Tubify, Vij’s Railway Express, and El Cartel serving up food, and lots of good, cold beer. No cover, kids welcome.
Sun, Aug. 21 | Noon-11pm | Strange Fellows (1345 Clark Dr.) | DETAILS

PARADE | Chariot Fest, a procession of float-sized Indian chariots (adorned with flowers and carrying representations of deities), leaves Beach Ave. at Howe St. on Sunday at 11:30am and makes its way along Beach to finish at the Second Beach parking lot in Stanley Park where a festival (including a free vegetarian lunch) will take place. Expect dancing, yoga and meditation as well as cheerful music, bright colours and good food.
Sun, Aug. 21 | 11:30am-dusk | Second Beach, Stanley Park | Free | DETAILS

MAKE | Feeling crafty? Are you looking to decorate your home or workspace, or just want to keep your hands busy? Macramé could be the catch-all answer. Pick up some skills at a two hour hands-on workshop at Strathcona’s London Fields Shoppe this weekend and leave ready to roll. Local fibre artist Jolynn Vandam of Saige & Skye will teach participants the basic knotting technique while creating stunning plant hangers. Walk from the morning class with a hip-as-heck statement piece including an adorable cacti or succulent plant and hand crafted ceramic pot. Price includes all materials (cotton rope, wooden beads), a Macramé booklet, pot (the ceramic kind), plant and light refreshments.
Sun, Aug. 21 | 10am-12pm | London Fields Shoppe (692 E Hastings St.) | $115 | DETAILS

TOUR | If you find yourself conflicted over whether you should be spending your weekend hours stuffing your face, getting exercise, adventuring or slowing down, a Slow Food Cycle Sunday in the Pemberton valley might be just the ticket. This is a 50k cycle up and down Pemberton Meadows Road, allowing participants to take in the scenery in between stops at farms to meet farmers and food producers and eat produce directly from the field. Choose your own pace and do as much or as little of the route as you like. “The bike ride is a way to inform people of the importance of farmland, to give townspeople an opportunity to spend the day in the country and to give farmers and consumers a chance to connect.” Take a hat, gallons of water and all of the sunscreen in the world.
Sun, Aug. 21 | 9am-3pm | Pemberton Valley | $5pp/$20 per family | DETAILS

SHARE | If you’re not skilled in the kitchen, lack talent behind the bar and aren’t in possession of a rooftop deck, consider hitting the Family Matters dinner on Monday night and have everything taken care of for you. Chef Mark Singson and the dedicated crew behind the Family Matters series of pop-up dinners are a group professional food enthusiasts united by a love of food, a desire for innovation, boundary pushing and an appreciation for community, family and sharing experiences. The talented collective has planned a 3 snack opening course followed by a 6 course dinner paired with cocktails. A warm summer evening on a rooftop with friends with good food and fine cocktails? Not a bad way to log your August hours!
Mon, Aug. 22 | 7pm | Roof Garten, 670 Smithe St | $130 | DETAILS

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late-may-2009-169Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives in beautiful Strathcona and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy (but faithful) camera.

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